Some look back on the economy of 2000 through 2002 and say what a disaster 3 million jobs lost? Well one could also argue that the 43 million Americans who moved into new homes far outweighs the 3 million citizens who were looking for work. There are more people who are still looking for work who have gone into what they considered substandard vocations for instance they may be working as a manager at a Home Depot store when they were formerly an aerospace engineer with a Ph.D., this is a little disheartening to say the least but it is a fact of life in America. As people are tapped out and maxed out with their credit cards they do not have the buying power necessary to be able to continue with the trend associated with new housing starts in the average of $6500 been spent after the fact for the following period of one year.
I remember talking to a furniture sales rep, who in 2001 said he just gone through the worst sales year in his history as a salesman in 2000. Mostly due to all those new houses sold where the customers had come into buy furniture on time with companies who had in house credit which were now burdened with no pays, obviously these companies were not restocking and those competing against such companies had cut back in inventory having been out sold in the past. He decided on buying a franchise from us, The Car Wash Guys in San Antonio, Texas. The next year after he started his business mostly cleaning new car dealerships, which were very good due to the fact many people were buying new cars and Mexican nationals were coming over the border from Laredo, Texas gate to buy cars in San Antonio since their economy had picked up in response to the manufacturing which was moved over the border to cut costs in the downturn in the economy and the trend of folks coming here to work and sending money back to Mexico. The furniture salesman found himself quite busy with more business than any one person can handle and subsequently within a very short time, was able to make friends with all the major car dealership owners of the area in increase his business to four units and a detail shop. Still he was strictly working for car dealerships with only a fraction of the total business maybe 15%. Then what happened?
The housing boom picked up in people or buying furniture again, at the furniture trade shows everyone was preparing for in incredible year as a matter fact they were preparing for incredible five years, he could not help but moon light in his old profession as sales came easy once again. In 2002 the furniture business did pick up in response to new homeowners moving into new homes. These new home-buyers were expected to spend between 4000 in $6500 each on things such as upgrades to the home, swimming pools and furniture. Drought related issues cut short the number of people buying new swimming pools. Instead they bought barbecues, new decks, landscaping, SUVs, boats and FURNITURE. The cycle had come full circle and it is what every career person calls those golden years. Although the $6500 per new home sale did not quite pan out with the new ownership society it was substantial due to the number of new homes.
Category Archives: Home
A Brief History of American Home Furniture
Author Marilynne Robinson alludes that most Americans believe they live in an “invented nation”, as well as a “manufactured culture.” She agrees with this, but only to a certain extent. She also views America as unique, not simply a borrowed or inherited culture. Over time, America is has become a multi-cultural country and with that has created its own culture, style and traditions through its evolving history. What better way to see this, than in traditional American home furniture, unique to the country, and based on the merging of various other cultures.
When the early colonists arrived from England, they brought with them their British manners, culture, furniture and other belongings. They were essentially British and still under British rule up until the American Revolution. Until that time, American home furniture was no different than British home furniture. It was either carried across the seas or recreated in the colonies in the exact style of British furniture. At the close of the Revolution, nothing was imported. Americans, in their new nation and democratic state began to focus on their individualism as a country, including designing and manufacturing their own American style furniture.
In America’s early nation-building days, furniture was hand-wrought and hand-crafted. As the country grew, so did industry, and factories were built along with businesses. The efficiency of the factories soon replaced the need for hand-crafted work. However, the early pieces were not the finest, but it meant people did not have to rely on expensive and difficult-to-possess imported furniture from Europe.
Department stores emerged at the close of the American Civil War. Companies like Montgomery Ward and Sears Roebuck controlled the majority of the factories and the furniture they sold in their stores soon became standard and simplified. Across the country, a diverse people were all using similar furniture bought through the mercantile catalogs or at the brick and mortar department stores.
Tastes and trends change regularly, even today, and while the present trend in American home furniture may lean toward clean contemporary styles, there is still a love for America’s earlier hand-crafted furniture, which is now sitting in antique stores at very high prices. These traditional pieces only increase in value with each passing decade.
America has created its own culture and traditions, partly based on need after the Revolution and partly based on the merging of borrowed cultures that have helped to enrich the country’s own style. American home furniture is based on tradition and style.
Luxurious Home Furniture
Luxury in the way that you furnish your home
There is a school of thought that says that you should indulge in luxury regardless of whether you can afford it or not. The iconic piece of furniture in the form of the timeless black leather couch is one of the luxuries that you can bring to bear on your house. It is an item that will cost you a significant amount of money. At the same time it oozes class and sophistication. You should not get worried that it is up to you to manage the different elements that go into the creation of the different couches in the home that bring their own flavor to the decorative scheme in the living rooms. They are items that have been done to high specification.
One of the things that will trouble you is cost. You have to rationalize the expenditure that you are going to put on the products for the modern age that is used to improve the appearance of different living spaces within the constraints of the family budget. It might be enough to buy a small car. This might represent an indulgence that is going to set you back in terms of your financial planning. There has to be a reason for this purchase or spouse might query the decision. The first thing that you have to remember is the fact that you are getting good quality. This happens when you purchase the reviewed furniture items that are supposed to give the person a great outlook on the different product items that work in their favor. That justifies the costs when they come in.
It is also unlikely that you will have the need to buy similar items in the short term when you go for the new products that are used to improve the general stylistic qualities of a given living area. These are beautiful things that are expected to last the home for a significant period of time. In fact the owners are normally so proud of their purchase that they will take extra care to ensure that the item is well protected. This is what is expected and this is what should happen in normal circumstances. You get assurance and confidence when you purchase the Modern furniture center pieces that bring a touch of glamour to the living rooms of ordinary families. Even the people that visit your home will be impressed.
It is up to you to work out whether the efforts that you put into the glamorous furniture items that bring great joy to the home owners are worth it. Your family might feel that the money could be used in a different format but you are just holding on with some stubbornness. These are the risks that you are going to take and it is up to you to ensure that you have the right mix of ingredients to work them out. In short you would expect that your great furniture will make sense. If it does not then you will have wasted a good deal of money. That is something that you should avoid.
Entertainment Units – Making Sense Out of All the Confusion
Your Lifestyle, Your TV
With the choices now available for entertainment centers, choosing the TV furniture that suits all aspects of your lifestyle has never been this easy. From wall units for compact living spaces to really modern entertainment centers for the techno-savvy, shopping for TV stands is now as exciting as fashion bargain-hunting for the stylish women or car shopping for the auto-fanatic men.
So what are these choices for your dream entertainment center? Let’s check it out one by one.
TV Armories: Furniture and TV in One
Gone were the days when armories are mainly used for wardrobe storage. This piece of furniture is now fast becoming a living room favorite.
Those who opt for the more formal look, armories are ideal. Among the great features of entertainment or TV armories are:
- Your TV, component, and other entertainment equipment can be installed in just one place.
- A great storage for electronic accessories and media component accessories. No need to spend time looking for that remote control, microphone, or connecting cables. They’re all in there!
- Can be used to put life in an otherwise boring living room or bedroom. Remember, it’s also a piece of furniture.
Popular choices for armories are hardwood, as these are considered classic and durable.
This choice is appropriate for big houses and for families living in the country or villa.
Corner Units: Maximized Space
Corner units are ideal for those with small living spaces such as condos and apartments. Who says that you need to have a vast space in order to have your own entertainment center?
Moving in to that chic yet compact condo? Consider a corner unit as your entertainment furniture.
Modern TV stands such as plasma TV stands are ideal for corner entertainment centers since most of these stands are designed really for city living. What’s interesting is despite the tight space, these units can pack in all your gadgets and TV accessories. Cool!
Entertainment Wall Units: Your Wall like Never Before
Entertainment wall units like armories are also great furniture that completes the look of your living room or bedroom. Most units are comprised of several pieces combined to form single furniture, the TV, being the focus. Like the other options mentioned, it also stores the different entertainment accessories.
Side by Side Units: A No-nonsense Option
Some people who opt for utility and ease choose side by side entertainment units. These units, usually of around 60″ width functions both as storage and furniture, with the TV on one side and cabinets for the components and accessories on the other. The modern versions of the side by side units even include other appliances such as TV and fridge side by side.
TV furniture has indeed come a long way… entertainment, storage, home furnishing all in one to suit all tastes and lifestyle.